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| (Credit: College Football Playoff) |
It’s the most wonderful tiiiiiime of the year!
The College Football Playoff fails to disappoint. Even during after such an awful year where so many lives were changed forever and so many things were taken away from us, at least we get to ring in 2021 with a couple great matchups.
We get to see potentially three Top-10 picks this New Year’s Day just at the QB position alone.
In some of our minds, the debate for the #3 and #4 spots is still ongoing, but nevertheless, here’s a special edition of Ridin’ Pine Picks!
New Year’s Day:
Rose Bowl
4:00 p.m. ET - Jerry World - Arlington, TX
Note: Game not in Pasadena, CA due to COVID restrictions for 1st time since 1942 when another attack from Japan was feared.
#1Alabama (-19.5) vs #4Notre Dame
Jake: Crimson Tide
This is your classic Alabama team that has talent around the board, and Notre Dame always makes the CFB only to lose in the first round. This year is no different, and after struggling to keep up with Clemson, they will certainly struggle to keep up with Bama too.
Sam: Crimson Tide
Alabama is the best team in College Football this year. They scored 49.7 points per game and allowed only 19.5. They did that vs an SEC schedule that featured 3 ranked teams. Notre Dame is also a very good team, but their schedule was significantly easier, they are fresh off a non-competitive loss vs Clemson, and their only truly impressive win was a close game vs a QB-less Clemson squad. I’m not sure if Alabama covers, but they definitely win.
Johnny: Crimson Tide
Does Notre Dame really deserve to be in here after their SORRY performance in the ACC Championship? All they’ve done this year is beat Clemson’s backup in OT and a 3-loss UNC team who snuck by BC didn’t beat anyone worthy besides NC State (who didn’t beat anyone either) until the final weekend. Let’s see how much Nick Saban decides to embarrass them.
Sugar Bowl
8:00 p.m. ET - Mercedes-Benz Superdome - New Orleans, LA
#2Clemson (-7.5) vs #3Ohio State
Jake: Tigers
Lawrence struggled on tape last year against the Buckeyes despite ending up with the win in the Playstation Bowl, but Lawrence has improved since then, and without Jeff Okudah in the secondary for the Buckeyes I’m taking Lawrence over Fields.
Sam: Buckeyes
Dabo Swinney has talked a lot about Ohio State this year and how he doesnt think they deserve to be in these playoffs. I don’t know if I can think of a team that’s had more bulletin board material for a game than this. Don’t forget that Ohio State should have won this matchup last year and had the game stolen from them by the refs.
Johnny: Tigers
Clemson’s performance against ND last week shows they are just as dominant as they were against the Buckeyes last year and they haven’t lost a step. I think OSU is lucky to even be in the Top-4. I also think Lawrence is much better than Fields, so give me that matchup any day!